Dedicated to the study, appreciation, and conservation of the native flora and natural communities of Illinois

Join the Illinois Native Plant Society

The Illinois Native Plant Society depends on the support and engagement of its members to accomplish its mission. Become a member or donate to support the INPS mission.

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Illinois holds a great diversity of natural habitats and communities, from cypress swamps in the south, beech-maple forests in the east, tallgrass prairies in the central region, steep bluffs and palisades along the western rivers, bogs and wetlands in the northern counties, and numerous other unique natural communities in between. As a state, we are fortunate to have a great legacy of individuals and organizations that have devoted immense time and efforts toward the study, protection, and care of our natural resources. Please join us as we strive to uphold this legacy and share our appreciation of Illinois’ natural treasures with current and future generations.

INPS News and Events

2023 Annual Gathering

2023 Annual Gathering

REGISTRATION CLOSED Hosted by the Central Chapter When: September 29, 30 and October 1, 2023 Venue: The State House Inn, Read More
2023 Research and Survey Grant Awards Announced

2023 Research and Survey Grant Awards Announced

We are excited to announce the six recipients of research grants and three recipients of survey grants. Read more about Read More
Designating April 2023 as National Native Plant Month

Designating April 2023 as National Native Plant Month

The Illinois Native Plant Society supports THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES, RESOLUTION 570 designating April 2023 as ‘‘National Native Read More
2018 Grant Recipient Publication Announced

2018 Grant Recipient Publication Announced

Illinois Native Plant Society grant recipients are encouraged to submit their grant-awarded research to scientific peer reviewed publications. We are pleased to announce that 2018 recipient Emily Dangremond, Assistant Professor at Roosevelt University and current President of INPS, will publish her research on Starflower (Trientalis borealis) in Plant Ecology. Read More
Proposed changes to the Illinois Endangered and Threatened Plant Species List

Proposed changes to the Illinois Endangered and Threatened Plant Species List

Every five years, the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board’s (IESPB) Illinois Endangered Species Technical Advisory Committee (ESTAC) meets to discuss potential changes to the status of Illinois plants and makes recommendations for state listing, delisting, or status changes. Read More

Native Plant Sales

Native plant gardeners in Illinois have access to dozens of plant sales across the state. In addition, there are many nurseries that specialize in native plants.

Native Plant Sales

It can be difficult to find places to purchase native plants. To solve this problem, many organizations host native plant sales, often in the spring. Search our listing of native plant sales to find one near you.

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Native Plant Nurseries

Check out our list of nurseries that supply native plants throughout Illinois and the surrounding region. While these business focus on native plants, some sell cultivars and species that are not native locally. Always ask if the plant is native to your region

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Chapters

There are currently seven chapters of the Illinois Native Plant Society. Chapters host programs, hold native plant sales, offer workshops, conduct field trips, and organize symposia. The Society’s Annual Gathering rotates between the chapters and gives members a chance to see vegetation and natural communities in different parts of Illinois. Members are asked to affiliate with a chapter and can choose more than one or all. Check the individual chapter pages for details regarding their calendar of events.

Northeast Chapter

The Northeast Chapter is centered in Chicagoland. From wide open prairies to deep forests, serene dunelands to vibrant marshes, this area has many plant communities to explore.

Quad Cities Chapter

The Quad Cities Chapter is centered in Rock Island, and features the diverse habitats near the Mississippi River. Come explore with us the bluff prairies, sand savannas, and woodlands of northwestern Illinois.

Kankakee Torrent Chapter

The Kankakee Torrent Chapter is centered on the Kankakee River watershed. Featuring prairies, savannas and woodlands, along with canyons, cliffs and islands that formed when the Torrent was unleashed 19,000 years ago.

Grand Prairie Chapter

The Grand Prairie Chapter is centered in the heart of the prairie state amidst what was once a vast, biodiverse grassland. This newest chapter of INPS is located in the Bloomington-Normal region.

Forest Glen Chapter

The Forest Glen Chapter is centered on the Forest Glen Preserve, in Vermilion County. Harboring a wide range of habitats from beech-maple forests, black soil prairies, sand savannas, oak-hickory forests, hill prairies and bluffs, to forested seeps

Central Chapter

The Central Chapter is centered on Springfield, straddling the divide between northern and southern plant communities with elements of both. The Great Rivers and their deeply dissected drainages are a special feature here.

Southern Chapter

The Southern chapter is centered around Carbondale. This region is home to natural communities unique in Illinois with swamps of bald cypress, floodplain forests, and cliffs and canyons.

Grant Programs

About Research Grants

The Illinois Native Plant Society Research Fund was developed to promote the conservation of Illinois native plants and communities through scientific research.

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Central Chapter Grants

The Central Chapter offers grants to individuals or groups for support of projects that promote the conservation of Illinois native plants and natural communities.

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Blooming Botanist Grants

The Kankakee Torrent Chapter offers grants to students interested in identifying, monitoring and conserving native plants and their ecosystems.

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Grants Awarded

Descriptions of the grants that have been awarded since 2018.

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Publications

We offer numerous publications in order to support our mission. Erigenia is our peer-reviewed scientific journal published yearly and The Harbinger is our statewide newsletter published quarterly. Additionally, some chapters publish monthly newsletters and other periodic content like guidebooks for wildflower viewing.

Erigenia

Erigenia is a peer-reviewed journal of the Illinois Native Plant Society. Erigenia is named for Erigenia bulbosa, harbinger-of-spring) one of our earliest blooming woodland plants and a species that serves as a promise of things to come. The first issue was published in August 1982.

The Harbinger

The Harbinger is the quarterly, statewide newsletter of the Illinois Native Plant Society. It contains popular articles, weblinks, botany basics, plant profiles, as well as statewide and chapter events. Past issues are available for viewing on our website.

Other Publications

View other publications, such as guides to the spring and summer wildflowers of southern Illinois.

INPS Leadership

The Illinois Native Plant Society State Governing Board includes six Executive Committee members, four at-large board members, and the seven chapter presidents.

Governing BoardAbout Us

Janine Catchpole

President

Susanne Masi

Vice-President

Emily Dangremond

Past President

Lailah Reich

Secretary

Courtney Cartney

Treasurer

Anna Braum

Membership

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